Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT A8 ‘Argyllshire’ for UK 19.11.1916.
Sinclair disembarked at Devonport 19.1.1917. He marched in to the 4th Training Bn with his Unit to Codford 10.1.1917. Sinclair proceeded overseas to France from Folkestone per SS ‘Invicta’ 28.2.1917. He was transferred to the 32nd Bn. 8.3.1917. Sinclair was taken on strength in the Field with his Bn. 14.4.1917. The 32nd Bn. fought at the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt (May1918), Polygon Wood near Ypres Belgium (September 1918) and at Passchendaele (late 1917) Sinclair was appointed L/Cpl 18.1.1918. The 32nd Bn. was engaged in the German Spring Offensive in early 1918.  The 32nd Bn. fought in the 'Line in front of Hamelet' from the 11th - 22nd April. (AWM 32nd Bn. War Diary) On the 17th April the enemy artillery was described as being 'active' and from the Bn. 2 were killed and 5 wounded. Sinclair was wounded in action receiving a GSW to his left temple 17.4.1918. He was admitted to a General Hospital 18.4.1918, then transferred to a Convalescent Hospital. He was subsequently discharged to his unit 23.4.1918. Sinclair was promote to Temp. Cpl. 21.6.1918 and was promoted to Cpl. 28.6.1918. He was wounded in action (2nd time)  in the allied advance to the Hindenburg Line.  On the 24th Sept. the 32nd Bn. advanced to Doingt. On the 29th they commenced a push forward to objectves at Hesbecourt, Fosse Wood and Joncourt and the Sugar Factory ((AWM 32nd Bn. War Diary)nclaie received a GSW to his left arm 29.9.1918. He was transferred from the 5th Casualty Clearing Station to the 1st General Hospital and then invalided to the UK 30.11.1918. Sinclair was repatriated to the Command Depot at Weymouth and assessed with a 25% incapacity. He was listed for early return to Australia – invalided, GSW.
Embarked UK per ‘Norvada’ for return to Australia 4.1.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 12.2.1919.
Discharged 30.3.1919.
Final Rank Cpl., 32nd Bn.
Medical Condition Invalided, GSW left arm and 25% incapacity.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal

Photos C.M. Sinclair. Officers and NCOs -Guildford Grammar School cadets 1914. Photograph courtesy Guildford Grammar School Archives
             HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photograph source AWM P10581.002
             Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
             Shell damaged church at Joncourt. The Village was captured by allied forces on October 1st 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03770

Information Source
AWM P10581.002. HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E03770. Shell damaged church at Joncourt .The Village was captured by allied forces on October 1st 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Clarence McIntosh Ringwood Sinclair
AWM4 23/49/33 War Diary of the 32nd Infantry Battalion April 1918
AWM4 23/49/38 War Diary of the 32nd Infantry Battalion September 1918
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School Archives
NAA: B2455, Sinclair Clarence McIntosh Ringwood

Geraldton, WA. (father)
Fremantle, WA. (work address)




 

Associated Images